What is the PH of drinking water?
Water, composed of hydrogen and oxygen, requires specific components and conditions to be considered suitable for human consumption. Among these requirements is the pH of water, which must fall within certain values for people to drink it.
Fortunately, the pH of water can be measured and adjusted if it is not within established standards. So, let’s understand what water pH is, when it is suitable for drinking, and other important details to consider.
WHAT IS THE PH OF WATER?
pH is a measure of the alkalinity or acidity of an aqueous solution in general terms. In water, pH determines the concentration of hydrogen ions, hence the acronym: potential of hydrogen ions. pH is measured using a logarithmic scale ranging from 0 to 14, where each point represents a tenfold change in acidity. In other words, a pH of 1 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 2.
WHAT DOES WATER PH INDICATE?
The water pH test can determine the alkalinity or acidity of water, with the neutral value being 7 on the scale. To get an idea of the pH of other common liquids, distilled pure water has a pH of 7, lemon juice is around 1, and bleach is approximately 13.
WHY IS WATER PH IMPORTANT?
Maintaining stable water pH ensures the safety of its consumption and prevents potential serious problems. Altering water pH can change the concentration of other substances, making it toxic. For example, a decrease in pH can increase the amount of soluble mercury in water. This also affects organisms and microorganisms living in water, as many chemical reactions require a specific pH for survival and growth.
HOW IS PH MEASURED?
Various methods exist to analyze the pH of water and aqueous liquids in general:
- pH paper: The most common method involves using special strips that change color when in contact with the liquid, thanks to their vegetable dye.
- pH test: A glass electrode containing an acidic solution is inserted into the water to generate an electric force between the water and the acid, which can be measured. This generated force is the pH measurement.
- Other tools for measuring pH: Analytical colorimeters based on an ink indicator that changes color according to the detected pH.
WHAT CAUSES A CHANGE IN PH?
Changes in pH can occur for various reasons, broadly categorized into two groups:
- Chemical buffering capacity: Chemical buffers that neutralize acids, such as CO2 from the air dissolving in water and neutralizing minerals from rocks.
- Entry of basic or acidic substances: Changes in temperature, human activity, pollution, etc.
PROBLEMS OF MALADJUSTED PH
The main problem with maladjusted pH is that water may become toxic, as seen in the example of high mercury presence. This can lead to issues in the body, with water being more harmful the more acidic its pH is. Gastrointestinal symptoms are the first to appear, but heavy metal poisoning is more challenging to detect and more severe.
WHAT ARE ACCEPTABLE VALUES?
The optimal pH of water for human consumption, i.e., drinking water, can vary between 6.5 and 9.5. In Spain, water consumed through taps typically has a pH around 7.7, making it practically neutral. In places where tap water is more alkaline, systems can be installed to treat water and adjust pH, such as reverse osmosis (reverse osmosis water has a pH of approximately 6.5). Well water for drinking should have pH levels between 7 and 8.5. Although frequent checks are conducted, official bodies ensure that consumed water falls within acceptable values, both for pH and other components.
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